The Assamese are all set to celebrate the much awaited festival of Rongali Bihu on April 14 with all the traditional fanfare and fervor despite electioneering at its peak in the state, reports Assam Tribune. The social environment is filled with the rhythm of the Dhol, rendering of Bihu songs and decorations of houses and shops with different spring flowers and orchids.

The Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari has greeted the citizens on the joyous occasion of Bihu and wished that the festival brings peace, progress and prosperity for all.

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Assam's most popular festival, Bohag or Rongali Bihu marks the onset of the Assamese New Year as first day of the solar calendar. It's a time of merriment and feasting and continues, in general, for seven days. It is also the national festival of Assam.The farmers prepare the fields for cultivation of paddy and there is a feeling of joy around. Therefore, Bohag Bihu is a harvest cum fertility festival. The folk songs or Bihugeets are sung and dances are performed to celebrate the bountiful harvest. The Bihu dances have sensuous movements using the hips and arms to celebrate land and human fertility.The women make the traditional food of rice and coconut as a fat of the feast on Bihu. The day is spent cleaning up the house, wearing new cloths and getting ready for celebrating the New Year with fresh vigour of festivities. Also, on this day, the statues of Gods are worshiped in all households asking for a bountiful and peaceful new year.On Bihu, many farmers and tribal wear new Japi ? a traditional Bamboo hat with colorful designs which is used while cultivating in the field protecting oneself from the sun and rain.